Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chen Xi was also helpless, the strength of Lyu Bu had surpassed his expectations, and he guessed that Yuan Shao’s side was currently struggling with this issue. However, in light of the dire situation Yuan Shao was facing, Chen Xi could not help but chuckle to himself.

”Indeed, when one is down on their luck, seeing someone else in a worse predicament brings a perverse sense of relief. In circumstances that would typically warrant tears, a laugh can somehow emerge — truly a base aspect of human nature.” While Chen Xi tried to maintain his calm demeanor, he couldn’t help but smirk internally, especially considering that Liu Bei’s losses numbered over two thousand men, while Yuan Shao’s side was suffering much more greatly.

”Wen Ru, do you actually have any accurate information about the Vanguard Camp?” Chen Xi turned his head to inquire of Li Youu.

”It’s useless even if I do, the growth rate of Gao Shun’s Vanguard Camp under his command is terrifying,” Li Youu shook his head and said, ”That’s why I suggested early on not to engage Lyu Bu in open battle but to use strategies instead. If the Vanguard Camp were to break formation, it would be hard for us to hold them off.”

”I think rather than worrying about Lyu Bu’s Vanguard Camp, we should consider whether or not to send Zilong to Yanzhou,” Jia Xu interjected, ”The White Horse Soldiers are basically fully trained now.”

”The White Horse Soldiers can handle the Wolf Cavalry with confidence as long as they don’t court death themselves; they won’t have any problems,” Lub Su also spoke up, ”I mean, we should send Zilong to Yanzhou and leave Xuzhou undefended.”

”Now, we’re only left with one internal worry. After dealing with it, we should also start considering how to confront Yuan Benchu,” Chen Xi nodded, and then everyone in the room turned their gaze to Li Youu.

”Now’s not the right time; Yuan Shao has the will but lacks the strength. Even if we borrow Yuan Shu’s hand, Yuan Shu is not currently interested in seizing Xuzhou,” Jia Xu sighed before Li Youu could speak.

”Have a talk with Lyu Bu.” Li Youu replied with an answer that astonished Chen Xi.

”Talk?” Zhuge Liang looked up at Li Youu,” Although I don’t appreciate Lyu Bu’s style, a lot of issues can be discerned from Military Advisor Guo’s letter.”

”We could talk to Zhang Wenyuan, Chen Gongtai, and Gao Gongzheng,” Lub Su raised his head to suggest, ”Even though Lyu Bu is strong, he is not someone who tolerates being subordinate to others.”

”Holding out for the highest bid? Hmph!” Li Youu, uncharacteristically, revealed a hint of menace, ”If so, why not sincerely offer a high price then!”

”It’s not an impossible idea,” Jia Xu, having worked with Li Youu for many years, instantly understood his intention and nodded with a cold smile.

”This method is feasible. We can talk to both Lyu Bu and all the people in Lyu Bu’s Army, like for example Zhang Wenyuan, who’s quite good. We can also talk to Chen Gongtai and Gao Gongzheng, and if all else fails, Cheng Lian, Hao Meng, Cao Xing... we welcome all comers. After all, they’re among the top second-tier Charging Generals, and each one has a unique specialty,” Chen Xi said with a smile. He didn’t have much affection for Lyu Bu, nor did he particularly dislike him, but Lyu Bu was not someone who could fit into their group.

”That works, Chen Gongtai is good,” Lub Su nodded.

”I don’t have much going on lately, I’ll go personally. Chen Gongtai values reputation, he won’t make a move against me,” Liu Yan said with a slightly proud look, having now secured the title of Marquis by leveraging his status in the Imperial Clan and his renown for paper-making. Liu Yan’s skin had grown thicker now due to a sort of self-hypnosis.

”Good, get more in touch with Chen Gongtai. As long as he leans towards us, many under Lyu Bu will follow suit,” Chen Xi nodded in agreement.

”Hmm, lately you should also make contact with Xuu Zijiang and Chen Kongzhang,” Liu Yan seemed to have remembered something.

”What’s going on?” Chen Xi asked curiously.

”Xuu Zijiang has been persuaded by me, ready to restart the Monthly Critique, and incidentally produce a general critique. Kong Zhang plans to do some editing, so...” Liu Yan made a gesture as if everyone understood what he meant.

”Is that even possible?” Zhuge Liang asked, puzzled.

In Zhuge Liang’s memory, Xuu Shao’s Monthly Critique was a very high-level affair and Xuu Shao himself was an extremely distinctive figure among noted scholars. When threatened by Cao Cao in Luoyang and offered rewards or recognition for compliance, Xuu Shao, though dissatisfied, adhered to his principle: as long as it could move him, be it wealth or scholarly reputation, he would give an assessment.

At that time in Luoyang, Cao Cao found a loophole and, by pointing a sword at Xuu Shao, threatened to kill him on the street if he didn’t give an evaluation. Cao Cao was serious, and Xuu Shao had no choice but to comply, saying, ”You are an excellent official in times of peace, a hero in times of chaos.” Honestly, this statement neither praised nor slandered Cao Cao excessively; it did not result in a poor or favorable rating because of the threat to his life....

That is, in Xuu Shao’s view, Cao Cao’s actions fit within the rules he had set for himself, so they weren’t considered excessive. However, that incident served as a reminder to Xuu Shao, who then stopped conducting the Monthly Critique. And now, Liu Yan was subtly hinting that everyone should perform well...

”Eating my food and living off me, it wouldn’t make sense not to show a little bias. But I can only make suggestions. Unless both parties are nearly equal in skill, Xuu Zijiang will place you above the other. If there’s a significant gap, Xuu Zijiang won’t tarnish his own reputation. First off, congratulations, Kongming, you’ve made the list,” Liu Yan said with a straight smile, bowing to Zhuge Liang.

Xuu Zijiang indeed would not take these things lightly, but there’s always a match for every player, and under such circumstances, Xuu Zijiang could maneuver accordingly.

”Huh?” Zhuge Liang was surprised, then his face showed delight, which he quickly tried to hide, returning to a calm demeanor. But the gleam of secret pleasure in his eyes was quite evident. When Xuu Zijiang left Luoyang to stay in Xuzhou, both Pang Shiyuan and he had visited, but neither received an evaluation.

”Are there many being evaluated?” Chen Xi asked curiously.

”A lot. Civil officials, military generals, young geniuses, weapons, horses, and even beautiful women...” Liu Yan said, tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Perhaps seeing the weird looks on everyone’s faces, Liu Yan added, ”Aside from the first three categories which are evaluated by Xuu Zijiang, weapons, horses, and beautiful women are ranked by someone I found. It’s under Xuu Zijiang’s name, but it won’t discredit him.”

”Oh, how do you determine weapons, horses, and the beauty of women?” Chen Xi asked with a smirk, feeling that Liu Yan was idly rambling. ”There are so many beautiful women in the world; how could you possibly appraise them all?”

”Humph, over these years I’ve traveled across the Thirteen Prefectures of Great Han, from Youzhou in the north to Jiaozhou in the south, from Sichuan and Shu and Yongliang in the west to Qingzhou and Jizhou in the east. You believe that, don’t you?” Liu Yan said proudly.

”We believe it.” Everyone nodded; Liu Yan had indeed been traveling everywhere in recent years.

”Humph, whenever I visited a place, noted scholars and virtuous officials would certainly come forth, and it’s challenging for beauties to emerge from impoverished households. There’s an obvious issue of aura here, so...” Liu Yan spoke convincingly, and the others nodded in agreement, completely neglecting that the conversation had veered off from dealing with Lyu Bu to somewhere entirely different.

”Who is ranked first?” Jian Yong, adhering to the idea that a refined lady finds a gentleman’s match, spoke on behalf of the men.(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at Qidian ). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)